Work Text:
When a ghost manifests in the Ghost Zone they need a name. Unlike the other realms, ghosts are responsible for choosing their names. That's the cornerstone of their existence. Ember chose her name to symbolize the smoldering embers that took her life. Even after the inferno was gone the embers remained as a reminder.
Sometimes though. A ghost is given a second name. One given to them by others. Like The Collector.
“Wait. Wait wait.” Frida interrupted Rodolfo as he explained the origin of ghost names.
“When you said ‘ghost story’ I didn't think we'd get a history lesson.”
“Yeah, what gives Dad?” Manny chimed in. Rodolfo huffed, looking visibly deflated.
“I was trying to answer why we burn Blood Blossom candles on the ofrenda.”
“Oh yeah, why do we burn Blood Blossom candles on the oferenda?” Frida asked again. Rodolfo took a steadying breath before starting again.
“IT STINKS!” Granpapi interrupted.
“IT'S SUPPOSED TO STINK!”
“Really?” Frida gave a hard sniff. “All I smell is marigolds and fried foods from the festival…that we’re missing. Right now. Like right now.”
“Yeah. I wanted to eat before the big tournament. Can’t fight on an empty stomach.” Manny averted his eyes admitting he was not in the mood for storytime.
“We can hear about old dead dudes later.” Frida insisted while getting to her feet.
“Dead? Yes. But the Collector has only been around two years. And then there is The Great One.”
“Woo. The Great One!” Manny perked up.
“Yes.The Great One. A brave spirit who rallied the citizens of the Infinite Realms against King Pariah’s reign. He fought mano y mano against the King as his very armor drained his core. With the last bit of his strength, he managed to imprison the ghost in the Sarcophagus of Forever Sleep.” Rodolfo seemed pleased he managed to squeeze the epic into a few sentences.
“Did the Great One die?” Frida asked after a moment.
“Well, ghosts don't so much as die as turn into mushy piles of ghost goo,” GranPapi explained.
“Ew.” Both Frida and Manny complained in harmony.
“Yes very yucky!” Rodolfo agreed. Manny zoned out as he imagined The Great One. Strong physique in a suit of gleaming armor littered with scuffs and dents from the battle. He imagined The Great One standing tall and macho over a pile of defeated foes. The figure reached up to pull the battle-battered helmet off his head.
“Ew white hair.” Frida’s voice cut through Manny’s fantasy.
“Yes. Snow white hair and glowing green-” Rodolfo tried to continue.
“Here I was thinking The Great One was going to be a hottie,” Frida complained getting up from her seat. Manny didn’t answer as he tried not to think about his disappointment. Outside a firework went off.
“Gasp. ITS STARTING!” Frida and Manny dashed outside. The yearly tournament was about to start. The other Riveras raced after the two teens. All thoughts of blood blossom candles and Great Ones were chased away.
* * *
It was almost eleven when Manny and his family returned home. Each of them was sporting various cuts and bruises. Rodolfo looked the most upset. Granpapi looked annoyed yet his eyes were filled with glee.
“I don’t get why you're upset.” Said Manny to Granpapi. “I cheated just like you taught me.”
“Yes. But you’re supposed to cheat against everyone else.” Granpapi glared at his grandson.
“You’re not supposed to cheat at all. When you cheat you do not hurt others but rob yourself of the feeling of honor.”
“Oh.” Manny had nothing else to say. He looked down at the hunk of metal in his hands. It seemed so cool when presented as this year's prize for the Day of the Dead Brawl. It was oval with a border that reminded Manny of rope. In the center was a simple calavera framed by marigolds. It was gunmetal grey and black. Now the calavera’s grin was mocking him. He stared at it for a moment before tossing it on the ofrenda. He vaguely heard a noise of something falling over but he ignored it. Manny went to bed feeling sore and empty.
He dreamt of a figure standing on a battlefield. His mind could not make out the face. Somehow he knew it was The Great One. Manny was El Tigre with his claw gauntlets unwound lying useless in front of him. From the darkness, Manny could make out shadows in the shape of his family and Frida.
The Great One was speaking but no words could be heard. Then everything became still and the silence was deafening. The shadows seemed to focus on something behind Manny. Turning he was met with a large tiger made of glowing green energy. Tendrils of energy billowed like black smoke from the beast. It was familiar yet Manny felt humbled by it. The tiger opened its massive mouth to roar so loud it shook Manny to his core.
Manny sat up in bed panting like he had run a mile. Patting himself down he was still wearing his night clothes and in normal human form. As he calmed himself down he heard shuffling from the other room. Curiosity getting he left his room to see if someone else was awake. Standing near the ofrenda, lit by the candles, he saw him.
Dracula. Dracula was in his home and…was that granpapi’s sombrero?
“Oye,” Manny called out startling the blue-skinned vampire.
“Don’t worry little boy. Just go back to bed where it is safe.” Dracula smirked at Manny’s presence.
“You broke into the wrong house hombre! Dad! Granpapi!” Manny called out which caused the vampire to chuckle.
“They won't be able to do much without these.” He then held up Granpapi’s sombrero, the belt from the tournament, and Dad’s boots before producing a sack to throw them in. Cursing under his breath Manny raced back to his room to grab his belt. Transforming he dashed out after Dracula.
The vampire had a head start causing Manny to almost lose him. Fortunately, the idiot had flown to the top of the volcano. Nowhere left to run to. Dracula stopped right above the volcano's rim, allowing Manny to catch up.
Throwing his left claw he embedded into the sack holding his family's items. The sack proved to be tougher than it looked since Manny's claws were caught in the fabric. Dracula's grip was impressive since instead of letting go of the bag Manny was pulled towards the vampire. Noticing the fourteen-year-old barreling towards him wildly Dracula only smirked as he summoned a glowing portal to dive into.
Manny could only scream as he was dragged through the portal. The place he had been dragged to was something out of a dream. No matter which direction Manny looked, dark green and black swirled around him. Windows and doors were scattered about along with what appeared to be floating islands. Dracula was dragging Manny along too fast for him to get a proper look at everything.
“Let go, you pesky brat.” Snarled the vampire as he took a sharp turn trying to dislodge Manny. The tactic worked since Manny went flying. All he could see was a blur of black and sickly green before slamming into something.
“Ow! What the heck dude?” Asked the mass he ran into. Blinking against the industrial lighting burning into his eyes Manny sat up. How was he in some mad scientist lab now?
“Aw, great another one.” Manny looked around to see who was speaking. His eyes found the speaker. He was taller than Manny as he gazed down at the antihero. Long messy black hair tied up in a tiny ponytail. His blue eyes were cold and hard as ice as he regarded Manny.
He was also welding a sci-fi weapon that was powering up and pointed directly at Manny. Way to get distracted by a hot guy during a fight Rivera.
“Look,” the teen spoke like he had been up for a week. “I've had a long night already. Just go back through the portal so I can go to bed.”
Manny growled. How dare he! This guy was working with Dracula!
“I will when I get back my family's mystic items from your boss..dad?” Manny flashed his claws to the hot teen. Seriously, why does evil have to look so sexy? That was the wrong thing since the teenage supervillain fired his sci-fi weapon. Manny was already posed to fight so he launched his right claw-gauntlet to disarm his opponent. The villain raised his arm causing Manny’s claws to dig into the thick material of the flannel.
The blast sent Manny back through the portal, however, he wasn’t alone. Sexy McMadscientist Teen was still attached to Manny’s right claw. Both teens fell into a heap inside the weird realm. As they both detangled from each other the portal to McMadscientist’s realm closed. When the taller teen finally ripped himself away from Manny he yelled at the now-empty stone archway.
“No no. NO! Who could,” McMadscientist then smacked his forehead with his palm. “Jazz.”
“You’re both still alive? How disappointing. Then again, what do I expect from children?” Dracula taunted. Manny looked upwards to see said being smirking down at them.
“How are you calling a child cabron?” Manny shouted up at the man.
“Hey, I have a driver’s permit now!” McMadscientist protested.
“No matter. Hand over the belt and I’ll blast you into oblivion.”
“Don’t you mean, ‘or’ you’ll blast me into oblivion?” Manny corrected. English was his second language but he was certain Dracula was threatening him wrong.
“No.” Dracula then blasted the area around Manny’s feet causing the floating rock to crumble under him. As he searched for something to grab onto, Dracula appeared before him. The pain Manny felt was nothing like he had felt before. It seared down to his very soul. He felt El Tigre’s power fade like a chalk drawing in the rain. Manny blinked at Dracula as he was held up crudely by one arm. He felt his belt being removed before being dropped.
He was falling. He did not know where to go. It was just an endless sea of green and black. Closing his eyes, he waited for the sudden stop.
The stop was a lot softer than he thought it would be.
“Got ya.” A voice said in his ear. McMadscientist?
“Ah. Ah. A~h.” Taunted the voice of Dracula outside of Manny’s vision. There was a loud zapping that was drowning out McMadscientist’s screams of agony.
“Can’t have you messing my plans little badger. Now what should I do with the two of you hm?” Dracula was now holding Manny and McMadscientist by the backs of their shirts. The black-haired teen was slumped over groaning.
“Oh, so many excellent choices. Shulker might want a two-for-one special. Or maybe Dorathea needs new stable hands. Kempler could benefit from two new friends. Ah. I know.” Dracula taunted floating the two teens past a meteor covered in a jungle. A lone old-fashioned fridge. He stopped at a set of double doors that reminded Manny of the school’s cafeteria.
“Perfect. What more fitting than to be torn to shreds by your peers?” With that, Dracula flung open the doors. With that, the two were tossed through the doors.
Manny was sprawled atop McMadscientist. The taller teen was still recovering as Manny scrambled upright. A black-and-white movie? But living? Manny looked down at McMadscientist now getting to his own feet. Nope, his flannel was still mostly green. So it was just the world around them.
“HALFA!” Manny looked down the hall to see a nerd marching up to them.
“Great.” Mutter the taller teen glared at the glasses kid.
“HOW DARE YOU INTRUDE IN MY REALM. AND ON THIS DAY OF NEW BEGINNINGS. YOU SHALL BE PUNISHED FOR-” The nerd’s rant was cut off by a jock speaking up.
“Poindexter, the only one ruining our makeout sess’ is you.” There was a murmur of agreement. Pointdexter’s face darkened as if he were blushing.
“First you barge into my realm, then you show off your boyfriend today, of all days. Just makes me want to-” Poindexter swung at McMadscientist. Manny caught the pathetic blow easily.
“Easy there tiger.” Said McMadscientist. Manny pushed Poindexter away using his arm.
“And that's our cue.” Manny looked around to see that the black and white students were starting to surround them. A hand enclosed around his wrist dragging him further into the school. They reached the cafeteria where students were milling around there.
“Great. No exit here either.” Muttered the darker-haired teen. Manny paused as he spotted something in the kitchen area. Ignoring the other teen Manny made his way to the back to confirm what he saw.
“Ominous glowing blue door. It's probably fine.” Commented McMadscientist as Manny opened the glowing freezer door.
“Whatever you say, McMadscientist,” Manny grabbed the other teen to drag him through. Manny knew freezers were…well…freezing. However, why were they in the middle of yet another cafeteria kitchen? Now with ninety percent more color!
“Mc…mad scientist?” Questioned the blue-eyed teen.
“You’re the one with the spooky mad scientist lab.” Manny pointed out.
“It's not… it's my…you know what? Forget it. Why were you in there in the first place?”
“I was thrown in there after Dracule stole my family’s mystic items. Now tell me where he has taken them or I’ll,” Manny looked around for a weapon. He brandished a ladle.
“How should I know? Besides, I was hit by the same stunner as you.” The taller teen was flailing his arms around. Manny stared at the teen waiting for him to get to the point.
“If I worked for ‘Dracula’ why would he attack me too?” Yes, the teen physically made air quoted. Manny lowered his weapon.
“Also his name is not Dracula, it's Vlad. And I’m not McMadscientist, I’m Danny.”
“I’m Manny, but you can keep calling me Tiger.” Manny smiled. Danny’s face turned a little red.
“Right. Now that we have that out of the way, how do we get out of here?” Danny made his way to the dining area. He pushed the swinging door, stopped short, and hid behind the plastic door. Manny squeezed just below to taller boy only to regret it. The cafeteria was empty except for two beings. A small squat man and a cafeteria lady were locking lips at one of the tables.
“The Box Ghost and the Lunch Lady. Yick.” Commented Danny
“I don’t know who those people are but I agree.” Manny agreed looking around for another exit.
“Wait here Boxy. I made you something special.” The female instructed from just beyond the door. Before Danny or Manny could move the two of them were flung by the force of the door opening up. The Lunch Lady glared down at the two boys.
“Phantom? What are you doing here?” She looked between Danny to Manny. Her expression turned to glee.
“Oh, how cute. Young love. However,” she turned thunderous and objects began to float around the kitchen. “NOT IN MY KITCHEN!”
In a whirlwind of pink light and rushed movement Manny and Danny were dragged to another door.
“There you are my sweet…uh sugar cube?’ The Box Ghost entered the kitchen to get momentarily distracted by his thoughts. “Those are boxy in shape.”
“It's perfect Boxy. I just need to take out some trash.” The Lunch Lady blinked lovingly at her boyfriend(?).
“Here. Let me box that up for you.” said the Box Ghost summoning a large cardboard box out of nowhere. Manny and Danny tried to scramble away but the box was slammed down before they got away. There was the sound of packing tape being dragged across the top of the box.
The box was being jostled around as it was carried to who knows where. There was barely an itch for either of them to move around. It did not help it was pitch dark. It didn’t matter if Manny’s were opened or closed.
“When I get out of here I am going to kill him.” Danny declared somewhere around Manny’s knee.
“I thought he was a ghost,” Manny commented ignoring the sharp pain he was feeling in his left kidney.
“I’d figure something out. Like ripping him apart, molecule by molecule.” With every word spoken an eerie green light began glowing brighter and brighter within the box.
“I got you a present.” A low voice rumbled through the box.
“Skulker.”
“Do you know EVERYONE here?”
“It feels like it,” Danny muttered.
“Oh? Thank you, Pookie.”
“Ember?” Danny exclaimed in disbelief. Both teens were blinded when the top of the box was opened. With a seemingly coordinated effort, Manny and Danny detangled from one another. Manny took a second to survey where they were now. A clearing in the middle of the jungle. Where was this place? Wonderland.
“I don’t know which is worse; you dating Skulker” Danny addressed the female rockstar named Ember before turning towards the massive robot named Skulker. “Or her calling you Pookie.”
“You’re mean. You know that?” Skulker frowned.
“Oh, and I’m sure his nickname for you is better.” Ember pointed at Manny who was enjoying the bickering.
“Guapo.” Manny provided without a second thought.
Everyone had stopped talking to stare at Manny. Oh, shoot. Did he say that out loud?
“What sort of gibberish was that?” Ember shifted her weight as she regarded Manny with narrowed eyes.
“That was Spanish, my songbird.” Skulker smiled softly at his girlfriend. Ember turned her head so quickly Manny heard her neck crack.
“Really. In front of the Dipstick?” Ember stomped over to her boyfriend to screech at him.
“Now. Now. Ember baby. My songbird.” Skulker shrunk away from his girlfriend despite towering over her. Manny was too busy enjoying the fight he didn’t notice the hand slipping into his.
“Come on. While these two are distracted we can make a break for it.” Danny tugged Manny into the nearby trees.
“So how is it you know everyone?” Manny asked after a few minutes of walking and climbing over tree roots.
“You think you’re the first one to come through the portal?” Danny asked, struggling to climb over a large fallen tree.
“Do you happen to know where Dracula…I mean Vlad took my family's stuff?” Manny tried to smile but it came out as a grimace.
“Not here,” Danny said, waving his hand towards the vast expanse swirling above them. Manny looked up as a window lazily floated by. He was reminded of that super creepy old show Granpapi watched…Twilight Realms? Then it hit him.
“How many worlds are there?”
“Well, another name for here is the Infinite Realms.” Danny grimaces at Manny’s horrified expression. Manny looked back up at the swirling forever. He was lost and powerless. His heart felt funny. His brain was feeling like it wasn’t…braining.
“Hey?” A gentle voice flowed into Manny. Looking away from the endless abyss he locked eyes with a pair of ice blue.
“Tell me five things you see.” Commanded the slightly taller teen. Manny stared at him in confusion.
Manny blinked trying to process what the handsome teen was saying. A roar in the distance caused both of them to jump. The trees continued to shake as something approached. A large green tiger emerged toppling trees in its path.
“Tiger.” Manny pointed at the glowing green creature as it surveyed the two teens.
“Congratulations. Panic attack over!” Danny seized Manny by his arm again to drag him again. Manny went a little limp as he was certain he recognized the tiger.
“Come ON!” Danny managed to haul Manny through the tree line in a surprising show of strength. In their panic, neither teen noticed they were on the edge of the floating jungle. They were falling into nothing. A roaring filled Manny’s ears as they fell. Was it the tiger? No, it was too…machine-y…
The roaring filled his ears as something slammed into them.
“Ow. What did we hit?” A female voice pierced through the confusion. Manny’s left arm was hurting him. The smell of old cigarettes and cheap alcohol filled his nose.
“Get off me!” Danny yelled from behind where Manny was sprawled out.
“Hey man get off my girl.” The smelly gross blob under Manny shouted getting up. There was a three-way shouting match between Danny and two eighties-looking bikers.
“Leave it alone Johnny. I just want to get to the lookout and chill.” The biker girl straightened her scarf glaring at Danny.
“Hehe. Right. Chill. Ha.” The biker guy elbowed Manny good-naturedly. “This guy knows what I am talking about.”
Manny did not know what the guy was talking about.
The biker guy checked his pockets for something.
“Oh no. Where is it?” The guy dropped to the ground to search for something. The biker girl rushed forward to help her boyfriend search. Manny dashed to get out of their way. He joined Danny as far away as possible as the tiny floating slab would allow. Both bikers were on their hands and knees searching. Manny looked around seeing that there were no other platforms for them to jump down to.
“Found it!” Declared the guy holding up a piece of silvery metal.
“A screw?” Danny asked.
“It's not a screw.” Roared the smelly biker. He leaned into his girlfriend as she joined hands in holding the not screw. “It's a lug nut.”
“A who nut?”
“We're nuts if we don't get out of here,” Danny whispered in Manny’s ear. A pleasant shivering ran up Manny’s back.
“Ah, you livings just don't get it.” The girl biker shook her head in disgust.
“Spend all your limited time on money and things,” the guy biker sneered when He said ‘things’. “None of that matters here. All that matters is memories and the emotions you had when you were still living.”
The guy and gal had started to lean in closer.
“Which is why I'm the richest man in the whole ghost zone. I love you, Kitty.”
“I love you too Johnny.”
The both of them began kissing much to Danny and Manny’s distress.
“I still don't see how,” Manny began to question as Danny's hand flew up to cover his mouth too late since the couple separated from each other.
“Buzz kill. Shadow, get rid of them.” Johnny commanded as his shadow began to move. A roar shook the slab of land they were all standing on. Manny felt himself being dragged behind the slightly taller form of Danny.
The shadow did not get close enough when a glowing green mass landed between them. The figure straightened up to reveal the tiger from earlier. It growled at Danny who stood firmly between Manny and the beast. It then turned to the couple looking terrified. It roared at them, sending them flying into the abyss.
“Good kitty. Nice kitty,” said Danny when the beast turned back at them. The massive glowing tiger gave a low rumbly growl.
“Ancient Tiger Spirit.” Manny addressed the hulking timeless beast. Danny allowed himself to be nudged aside allowing Manny to approach. He reached out to stroke the beast’s fluffy cheeks. In response, the tiger chuffed into Manny’s curls.
“Whoa. Dude, you’re glowing.” Danny chuckled. Manny looked down at his body. Danny was right! Bringing his hands closer he noticed the glow looked just like his EL Tigre form.
“Ancient Tiger Spirit, our family’s mystic items have been stolen. I ask for your help in returning them and restoring our family’s honor.” Manny pleaded to the spirit. The tiger let out another massive roar before bending his legs to allow Manny to climb onto his back. Situating himself Manny noticed Danny had taken a step back allowing the tiger room. Without thinking about it, Manny leaned to extend his hand out for Danny to take. Danny looked up at Manny to take the offered hand.
Danny’s stomach was pressed firmly into Manny’s back. Thin arms wrapped around his middle as the ancient tiger spirit lept from its crouching position. As the tiger ran through the abyss Manny admired the floating lands. Time meant nothing as the tiger kept pushing further and further from home. Manny tried to keep his mind off the comfortable weight on his back. To ignore how the taller teen's thighs were touching his. This wasn't supposed to be intimate, they were on a mission!
‘There is always afterwards,’ Manny’s mind supplied.
“There!” Danny leaned in to talk in Manny’s ear. This mission was going to kill him. The Ancient Tiger Spirit turned sharply towards the direction Danny had leaned in. Vlad had burst out of a light blue door with a child’s nameplate on it. The name had been crossed out so many times the original name was unreadable underneath. The door was covered in stickers that had seen better days except for the letters that spelled out, Youngblood.
Vlad smirked as he held a flailing rabbit’s skeleton by the ears. Manny knew that real rabbit skeletons did not have bone ears. He also knew they didn’t have eyes or talk. The rabbit tried to kick Vlad to no avail before being stuffed into the same bag that held Manny’s family’s mystic items in it.
A small child wearing light blue and white striped pajamas came flying out of the room. Vlad was prepared as he grabbed the child before tossing him back through the door. He then sealed the door with a glowing pink chain.
“Stealing from children. Why am I not shocked?” Danny taunted.
“Ah, Daniel and friend, still powerless I see. Aw, look at the kitten.”
“I have a name!” Manny shouted his cheeks blazing.
“I think he was talking about the actual tiger, gatito” Danny glanced down at the tiger they were still atop.
“If you two are quite finished,” Vlad sent a blast of glowing pink energy directly at them. The ancient tiger spirit dodged gracefully. Danny and Manny were not so lucky. They were falling again, except there was no roar of an engine or islands to land on. Just emptiness.
In the chaos, Danny grabbed Manny to press him into his chest. He saw nothing except blackness since his eyes were covered. All he could hear and feel was the rushing of air as they plummeted. Then it stopped. They were weightless. Manny pushed against Danny’s chest to see what was going on. Looking up he saw Danny’s eyes had turned blue to ghostly green. Not saying anything Manny could only watch as Danny floated upward towards a floating rock. When they got close enough Danny sat Manny down on the rock.
Confused Manny looked Danny up and down to take in the change. There was no real change except for the glowing eyes and the fact he was flying.
“Seems like my powers are coming back.” Danny looked down at his hands frowning as he was concentrating—a small ball of glowing green energy formed in his palm. Manny watched in awe as the green glow bounced off Danny’s face. Over the handsome boy's shoulder, he spotted a glowing pink object rocketing their way.
Manny grabbed Danny by his flannel to pull him close. Using his right claw he swiped at the energy ball. It burned. The energy from the Ancient Tiger Spirit protected him for the most part. His hand stung but he had felt worse. Looking down he noticed Danny looked confused as he stared up at Manny. A winning smile Manny released Danny to float a little bit. A low growling caught both of their attention. Vlad was glaring between the teens and the Anicent Spirit Tiger. He then smirked as he had an idea. Reaching into his bag, he pulled out Djano’s guitar. Manny felt queasy as the Dracula-looking menace gave an exaggerated strum of the mystical object.
A small army of skeleton men materialized. They looked vastly different than when Djano summoned them. These looked like half-rotted bodies dredged up from the bottom of a lake. Danny reacted first as he sent a glowing energy beam at the closest skeleton. The blast only staggered the rotting skeleton. Vlad laughed as the small army advanced. Danny tried to fire off more energy blasts that barely phased the army. Manny swiped at the ones that got close enough. Sadly his power was still laughably weak as he only spun a skull like a top. The skeleton merely fixed their head to grab Manny.
“Oye. Dejame ir bastardos.” Manny flailed around trying to free his arm.
“Get away. Get away!” Danny chanted as he began punching to no avail.
“GET. A. WAY!!” Danny's scream morphed into a howl. There was a flash of white light as two rings passed over Danny’s from the middle. In their wake, a white-haired teen floated in his place. He was dressed like a superhero. As nice as the form-fitting outfit was to see, it was Danny’s new hair that Manny was interested in. It looked to be made of smoke or maybe mist.
In seconds, the army was blown away by what could only be a ghostly wail. The Shockwave was so powerful Vlad got thrown. Vlad had dropped the bag causing it to fall—the Ancient Tiger Spirit dove after it. Manny threw himself down after to catch a ride.
Manny gave a victory cry as he snatched the bag from disappearing into the abyss. Plunging inside he riffled through the strange collection of objects. Finding his belt, he put it on to transform instantly. Looking down from The Ancient Tiger Spirit Manny aimed his claw to strike at the Dracula-looking bastardo who started this whole mess.
Laughing he fired his chain claw only for it to pass through the glaring man.
“Oh, man.” Manny groaned as he, for the second time that night, went careening against his will. The last thing he saw was Vlad smirking as he reared back his fist. Started erupted in his eyes as he was hit.
“I'll be taking those back, thanks,” Vlad spoke somewhere above Manny’s head. There was the sound of objects jostled around signaling the foul man had taken the artifact bag again. “Don't want to forget this,” Vlad taunted before he was thrown back by a glowing green blast.
“Just give up already Vlad. Why do you even need all that stuff anyway?” Danny was now floating, placing himself between the vampire-looking weirdo and Manny. He looked as exhausted as he sounded.
“I forget how stupid you are sometimes-”
“HEY!”
“Pray tell, do you happen to know what day it is?”
“Dias de morte.”
“Halloween.”
“Also known as Samhain. Meaning the veil between the worlds is at its most thinnest. Making these sentimental trinkets at peak power.” Vlad held up the bag to give it a jiggle.
“You still on that? What didn't getting your butt kicked nine ways from Sunday by Pariah not make you question your life choices?” Danny asked, floating lower and looking like he was going to pass out.
Pariah? Like from the story Pariah?
“Hm. When I am ruler I will miss these cute little back and forths. Who knows, maybe I'll keep you and your little tiger friends here as pets.” Vlad didn't give the trio a chance to react as he took off flying again.
“We can't let him escape!” Declared Manny trying to run after the crazy man. Sadly he was still stuck in the wall causing him to fall on his face. He tried pulling but neither the wall nor his claw budged.
“Turn human for a sec,” Danny instructed. Manny complied. His now human hand slid through the wall like it was nothing.
“Neat. NOW AFTER HIM!” Instructed Manny pointing in the direction Vlad flew.
“Sure.” Danny agreed, his voice sounding barely there.
“Oye. If you need to be human for a little bit. You know. To rest up or whatever.” Manny touched Danny’s shoulder causing the other boy to give Manny a confused look. Danny looked from the comforting hand down to the slightly shorter boy's smile. With a small smile of his own, Danny transformed into his equally human self.
The Ancient Tiger Spirit floated down allowing the boys to mount him again. With a whoop from Manny, the trio dashed after Vlad. Danny was resting his head on Manny’s shoulder without a care in how it made the other's heart race.
“Hey um. How did you do that thing earlier?” Asked Manny trying to keep his mind on task and not on his love life.
“You have to be more specific.” Muttered Danny into Manny’s neck. A pleasant shivering rippled up Manny’s spine.
“The screaming thing.” Manny managed to say through his throat didn't want to work properly.
“My ghostly wail? I dunno. I just,” Danny gave a half-hearted shrug with his face still planted on Manny’s neck. “Yell. It's like all the emotions I push down come boiling to the surface and I just let them all out at once.”
“Que?”
“You know when you just want to punch or yell at someone and you just…don't?”
“No. Never.” Manny answered without a second thought. Danny made a small note of mirth before muttering.
“Must be nice,” Danny muttered as he pushed against Manny’s back to look around. “Where did the fruitloop go?”
The Ancient Tiger Spirit stopped to look around with Danny and Manny. The blast came from below. The teens went flying as the sound of a laser mixed with a tiger scream filled the air. Danny transformed into his ghost form to catch Manny. As they reached out to grab each other Vlad sent an energy blast that struck Danny in the back.
Manny slammed into a glowing green floor that then wrapped around him like a forcefield. Manny growled. He was getting sick of the Dracula wannabe’s bullshit. In frustration, Manny dug his claws into the glowing bubble. The claw cut through but closed up seconds later. He kept swiping with both claws only to have the bubble close up just as fast as he made the slices.
Anger like he never felt before boiled within him. He was tired. He wanted to go home already. Danny screamed somewhere beyond his sight. Manny paused his slicing. His vision was turning white. A sound ripped from him he felt it reverb his soul. The green was gone and Manny was able to look around.
Not far away Vlad had Danny by the collar of his supersuit. Danny was covered in burn marks with his cheek oozing green blood.
“How did you,” Vlad started to ask, glaring at Manny. Manny didn't give the guy a second to react as he got a claw to the face. Vlad screamed as he dropped Danny to cover his bleeding face. Without missing a beat Danny dove at Vlad to dig around in the man's person to pull out a black object. An arc of electricity shot through the man as Danny tased the man.
Before their eyes, the Dracula wannabe transformed into a pathetic-looking old man.
“Hit him again.” Commanded Manny as the older man looked up at Danny holding the man up by his arm.
“There is no need Daniel,” Vlad tried to beg but Danny had other plans. He dragged the man over to a chunk of floating asphalt scattered about the area. “You’re going to just leave me here are you?” Vlad looked between Danny and Manny.
“Would you rather be there when we return all this stuff? I’m sure they would love to see you right.” Danny taunted slinging the bag over his shoulder reminding Manny of a skinny Santa. Vlad looked deflated as he thought about facing the ones he stole from. Manny couldn’t help a laugh that bubbled out of him.
“We can always drop him off at my place. Dad and Granpapi would make sure Vlad would think twice before showing his face in Miracle City.” Manny sent a toothy smile at Vlad.
“Let's see how we feel after,” Danny motioned for Manny to follow as he began to look through the bag. Manny leaned forward delighted he could fly now. Nowhere is safe now from El Tigre! With one last glare at Vlad, the two teens took off. He heard The Ancient Tiger Spirit snort at Vlad before following after.
Seeing everyone thank the two of them made Manny’s heart swell. They even got forehead kisses from a princess when they returned her amulet.
“Alright. Last three. I believe these are yours.” Danny held out Dad’s boots, Granpapi’s sombrero, and the belt buckle from the Day of the Dead Brawl. Manny didn’t answer but nodded his head. He had forgotten about the buckle. Danny shoved everything back into the bag to hand to Manny. There was silence between them. Neither made a motion to leave. Then Manny got an idea. He fished out the belt buckle.
“Here. Vlad took it thinking he was getting my real buckle. I won it in a contest. You deserve this more than I do.” Manny pressed the buckle into the handsome teen’s hands. Danny stared down at it for a moment.
“Oh. Thank you. Here,” Danny felt around his person to pull out a set of keys. He fiddled with it to pull off the little spaceship keychain to hold out for Manny to take. It was made of solid metal painted deep red with some of the details rubbed off with time. “I got that at space camp.”
Manny looked up at Danny admiring his following hair and green eyes. The trinket in his hand spread a feeling that compelled Manny to lean forward. When he came to his senses, it was too late. He had kissed Danny. Shocked at what he had done, Manny could only stare as Danny processed what just happened. There was a blur of white as he felt hands grabbing his face. With the barest pressure, Manny’s head was tilted up allowing Danny better access. The kiss was chaste. Manny closed his eyes, enjoying the moment.
When they parted Manny realized he was holding Danny’s biceps. Neither wanted to let go as they held onto each other.
“We have to go.” Danny reminded both of them.
“Yeah,” agreed Manny yet made no motion to separate. Since Danny’s way home was closed off…maybe he could live with Manny for a while. Like roommates.
‘And they were roommates,’ Frida’s voice fan girl screamed through his mind. The offer died on Manny’s tongue as he was lifted by the backs of his costume. The Ancient Tiger Spirit was scuffing the teen like a naughty kitten. Manny locked up as he was carried away.
Manny didn't pay attention to the scenery before he was dumped on his face. The smell of brimstone and sulfur invaded his nose.
Yep. He was back home. With the sun on his back, Manny was finally feeling how tired he was. In a dreamy haze, Manny was swarmed by Frida as she spoke a mile a minute. Something about being missing for hours. Soon after Dad and Granpapi joined the cuddle puddle to take back their mystic items. When pressed for details Manny only shook his head. The whole experience was already feeling more and more like a dream.
* * *
The festival was over. The last marigold petals had wilted and been blown away. Yet Manny's feelings remained. He never understood how Dad could be obsessed with Mom up until now. The spaceship keychain had been turned into a necklace with a leather strap and a bead the color of Danny's blue eyes. When he transformed into El Tigre he still felt its presence on his chest.
“So,” Dad’s voice filtered through Manny's unfocused blank stare at the pictures on the ceiling. “What's her name?”
“Dad, how do you get to the Infinite Realms?” Manny asked, ignoring the original question.
“There is a spot atop the volcano where we can use our mystical items to punch through,” Dad explained, making a motion by punching the air. Manny sat up. “But that only during the day of the dead.”
Manny flopped back down to look back up at his ceiling. Why was drawing mist so difficult? He may need to practice on real clouds for a while.
“Who is punching the dead?” Grandpapi entered the room without knocking.
“No one. Manny is avoiding talking about his love life by asking how to get to the land of the dead,” Dad answered, causing Manny to shout in protest.
“Is it because your love is in the land of the dead?” Asked Granpapi.
“No,” Manny rolled his eyes. “We get to his world through the land of the dead. I think.”
“So it's a him.” Dad taunted.
“What? No. He isn't. It's not. Raw! We kissed and now I can't stop thinking about him.” Manny covered his face with his fists.
Would what they did count as a makeout session or two separate kisses?
Would the kiss feel different if one of them was in human form while the other was transformed?
There was a pulsing coming from his chest. A longing. Manny couldn't think straight. His dad and Granpapi were arguing about…something.
“Just because you live in the land of the dead does not mean you are dead.” Pointed out Granpapi.
“Wha-, of course it does!” Dad’s voice got higher pitched as he tried to defend only the dead can reside in the land of the dead. “Why else would a person be in the land of the dead?”
Manny could not take it anymore. He transformed to then jump out of the window. Using his chain claws, he made his way through the city and up the volcano. Sitting at the rim he gazed out into the steady billowing smoke. The smell was almost overwhelming in Tigre form.
He raises his claws to examine them. They seem normal enough. They ached though. Punch through. Maybe?
Manny swiped at the air. Nothing.
Again! Urged the Ancient Tiger Spirit within him. Manny swiped with left claw. The air felt thicker that time. He was now breathing harder, almost hyperventilating. No. Control. He needed to control this.
Swipe. This one felt as if it caught on to something. Like pudding.
Again! Rumbled the Spirit. Manny’s claws were glowing with the poisonous green light from the Infinite Realms. The same haunting glow of Danny’s eyes. This time his claws dragged for a second. His breath was now becoming ragged. His vision became tunneled to the spot he swore was wavering. With a shout that sounded like his Roar, he slashed through. Before him was a rip in space that revealed a lab. Not thinking twice, he leaped through.
Wait. This wasn't the McMadscientist lab from before. There was like seventy percent more ice than the lab that Manny found Danny in.
“Jodidamente frio.” Manny screeched as the cold air pierced through his super suit.
“Or you can wait four seconds.” A low voice commented somewhere behind Manny. Turning around the first thing he spotted was Danny talking to a massive yeti. It wore a cape and a skirt. Why a creature covered in fur needed to wear a skirt was beyond Manny. The arm made of ice-encasing bones was awesome though.
“Manny?” Danny leaned from behind the yeti in his ghost form. A look passed across the handsome boy's face before he dashed off behind some scientific-looking blinking machines. The awkward moment didn't last when Danny arrived with a parka lined with what Manny suspected was yeti fur.
The ghost teen helped Manny put it on, even going so far as to zip it up for the curly-haired teen. After some fussing to make sure it fit and the hood was properly covering Manny's ears Danny seemed to realize how close they were now.
“Hey, Tiger.” Danny smiled as a green glow colored his cheeks.
“Hola Guapo.” Manny smiled back. Glancing down he noticed Danny had updated his super suit. The buckle was resting neatly on Danny's belt. What was most interesting is the pewter grey was replaced by black onyx with the patterns turned bright white.
“Do you ever wonder where our clothes go when we transform?” Manny wondered aloud, causing Danny to blink for a second. Danny then began laughing so hard he pressed their foreheads together.
Frostbite gave The Great One one last gentle smile before making his way over to his waiting assistance.
“Looks like we have another Vega and Altair situation.” Commented the young yeti not taking their eyes off The Great One and The Ancient Tiger Spirit vessel. The young yeti stood stock still and they observed as many details as possible to ensure maximum gossip…accurate recording.
“Sometime today would be nice,” Frostbite whispered in the young yeti's ear with a chuckle. With one last blatant stare, the yeti hurried off to get the IntraRealms Communicators. Can't have them ripping the space/time continuum just because one was missing the other.
Like that last couple.